Washington/Moscow — U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to Russia, giving Moscow just 10 to 12 days to make visible progress toward ending the war in Ukraine or face sweeping new tariffs. The announcement significantly shortens an earlier 50-day deadline, signaling a more aggressive U.S. stance on the ongoing conflict.
In remarks delivered on July 29, Trump warned that if no ceasefire or serious negotiations are seen by early August, his administration will impose 100% tariffs on Russian exports. Furthermore, countries continuing to purchase Russian oil or engage in trade with Moscow could also be hit with secondary tariffs, raising the risk of a broader global trade conflict.
The U.S. Treasury Department has already contacted Chinese officials to warn them of possible penalties over continued Russian oil imports, reinforcing Trump’s demand for international alignment on isolating the Kremlin economically.
The Kremlin has responded defiantly. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev described the threat as “provocative and reckless,” cautioning that it could escalate hostilities not just in Ukraine, but also between Moscow and Washington. Russian authorities claimed they had “noted” Trump’s statement but reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing military operations in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, financial markets have shown clear signs of anxiety. Brent crude oil surged by over 3% before easing slightly, and the Russian rouble lost over 4% of its value, with the Moscow stock exchange dipping more than 3% since last week.
Analysts believe Trump’s pressure tactics could have significant implications. A bipartisan bill currently in the U.S. Senate, the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 (S.1241), proposes imposing up to 500% tariffs on Russian imports, adding legislative weight to Trump’s position. Although not yet passed, it underscores growing momentum for a hardline U.S. economic strategy toward Russia.
As the August 8 deadline looms, diplomatic observers are watching closely to see whether Russia will offer any concession or if Trump will move forward with the proposed sanctions—potentially altering the trajectory of the war and global markets alike.